Q: Can you bring us up to date on where the county is in the annual budget process and also what your priorities are?
A: We are beginning the budget process now, with workshops scheduled to begin in May where we will address the county’s needs going forward. The Board of County Commissioners will receive a proposed budget from the County Administrator for us to consider. I hope to address public safety, to include the sheriff’s office and fire and rescue, infrastructure needs, and parks and recreational space.
Q: When are the workshops scheduled and will there be the opportunity for public comment?
A: The workshop dates are May 19 – 21 at the County Administration Building. Specific locations within the building and times will be available on the county website (http://sjcfl.us/) as the dates approach. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Q: What can you tell us about the recent goals that the County Commission wants to implement?
A: We tasked the County Administrator, Hunter Conrad, to come up with measurable goals for the county. He presented five goals to us at our meeting in mid-March and the commissioners adopted them as presented. In no particular order, the goals are: Financial Stewardship; Economic Development; World Class Living; Customer Service; and Infrastructure. We expect these goals to define our community and we will use them to measure our success.
Q: How is the county proceeding with Covid vaccinations?
A: We continue our vaccination efforts. At this time, more than one in five St. Johns County residents are fully vaccinated. I’d like to give kudos to our great staff who made this happen.
Q: Do you have any Town Hall meetings scheduled?
A: We are hoping to have one in May or June. We are trying to find a facility to safely handle the number of people we expect might attend. More details will be forthcoming, possibly in next month’s article.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 4?
A: We are looking forward to the 200th anniversary of St. Johns County during the month of July. We will celebrate St. Johns County being the oldest county in Florida.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 679-2620.
